Rājasūya: Agrapūjā for Kṛṣṇa and the Slaying (and Liberation) of Śiśupāla
अयाजयन् महाराजं याजका देववर्चस: । राजसूयेन विधिवत् प्रचेतसमिवामरा: ॥ १६ ॥
ayājayan mahā-rājaṁ yājakā deva-varcasaḥ rājasūyena vidhi-vat pracetasam ivāmarāḥ
دیوتاؤں جیسے جلال والے یاجکوں نے ویدی حکم کے مطابق مہاراج یدھشٹھِر کے لیے راجسوئے یَگّیہ ادا کیا، جیسے پہلے اَمروں نے ورُن (پرچیتس) کے لیے کیا تھا۔
This verse states that the Rājasūya was performed for the great king (Yudhiṣṭhira) strictly according to Vedic rules, under the guidance of qualified priests who were described as radiant like the gods.
In the narrative, the Rājasūya establishes Yudhiṣṭhira’s imperial sovereignty and becomes the setting for major events of the chapter; the priests conduct it properly, paralleling ancient precedent (Pracetā) to show legitimacy and continuity of dharma.
The verse highlights disciplined, principled action under qualified guidance—encouraging sincerity, correctness, and respect for sacred process rather than shortcuts, especially in spiritual practice and ethical leadership.